IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 2121 University of Greenwich
Held at: University of Greenwich
Title: University of Greenwich
Date(s): 1991-2002 (ongoing)
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: approximately 10 linear metres including videocassettes.
Name of creator(s): University of Greenwich
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Thames Polytechnic was designated in 1970 following the merger of Hammersmith Departments of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Surveying with Woolwich Polytechnic in 1969. Other mergers followed, Dartford College of Education in 1976, Avery Hill College of Education 1985 and Garnet College in 1987. In 1988 science teaching was transferred from Goldsmiths' (McMillan Building, Deptford) and from City Polytechnic to Thames Polytechnic to become the School of Earth Sciences. South West London College, Wandsworth was dissolved in 1991 and many staff and students transferred to Thames Polytechnic.
In 1992 Thames Polytechnic was redesignated as the University of Greenwich following the Higher and Further Education Act (1992), which created a single funding council, the Higher Education Funding Council, for England and abolished the remaining distinctions between polytechnics and universities. The transformation of the polytechnic into a university gave access to a wider range of research funding, both from government and industry. As a result the number of research projects at the university quickly rose, from 41 in 1992 to over 300 in 1995, reflecting the increase of external income from �2.5 million to over �6 million in 1995 and subsequent increase in postgraduate students. The new university had seven campuses and over 14,000 students, and various plans to reorganise the university's structure and geographical spread were considered. In 1993 the first stage of the new student village at Avery Hill was opened, and in 1994 Woolwich public swimming baths were acquired as a new Students' Union headquarters.
Discussions began in 1992 on a merger with the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) based at Chatham. A settlement was reached with the NRI in 1996 and 360 NRI staff joined the University, and a campus for the School of Earth Science and School of Engineering was established at Chatham.
After a successful partnership with West Kent College at Tonbridge during the 1990s, Greenwich established partnerships with a further seven colleges in south-east London, Kent and Essex as Associated Colleges. The university and college worked closely together to develop courses and students from the colleges were able to transfer to Greenwich at the end of their courses. Looser arrangements were also put in place with several 'linked' colleges, with the development of joint courses such as the MSc course in osteopathy developed with the European School of Osteopathy, Maidstone.
In 1995 a long leasehold was secured by the University of the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital and Devonport Nurses Home at Greenwich and the University made a bid for the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. The Government accepted the University's proposals for the Royal Naval College as the preferred option and between 1998 and 2001 the University relocated five schools to make the Maritime Greenwich Campus the principal centre of the University.
In 2002 the University decided to consolidate on three campuses, Greenwich, Avery Hill and Medway and the Dartford and Woolwich campuses were closed, although Woolwich continues as an administrative centre for the University.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of University of Greenwich, 1991-2002, comprising papers submitted to the Court, 1992-1999; Governing Body handbooks, 1992-1998; calendars and staff lists, 1991-1997; financial statement, 1994; Academic handbook, 1993-1994; Research and Consultancy Review, 1993-1994; research magazine of the School of Land and Construction Management, 1995; research review, 1995-1996; Experts list, 1992-1993; review of European Involvement, 1991-1993; review of International Activities, 1993-1995; prospectuses, 1993-2002; annual reports, 1993-1997; handbooks, 1993-1996; programmes of presentation ceremonies, [1992-1997]; videocassettes of awards ceremonies, 1996-2000; Greenwich View, 1992-1996; Greenwich View for Students [1992]; Sarky Cutt, Students Union magazine, 1993-1997; Greenwich Line, 1996-[2000]; Meridian, Newsletter for Teachers & Advisors of Entrants to Higher Education, 1993-[2000]; photographs used for An Illustrated History of the University of Greenwich by Thomas Hinde compiled [1995]; photographs of Vice-Chancellors of the University, 1992-1993; Chairmen of Governing Body, 1992-2000; opening of Student Village, Avery Hill, 1993; press cuttings, 1992-1994.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
The collection is unsorted.
Conditions governing access:
Researchers wishing to consult the archives should contact Ann Murphy, Head of Information Services, University of Greenwich
Conditions governing reproduction:
Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Librarian.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
A basic list is available at the University of Greenwich Woolwich campus.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Created in the course of business.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Records of Woolwich Polytechnic, 1891-1973, and Thames Polytechnic, 1971-1992, are also held by the University of Greenwich Archive.
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Sources: An Illustrated History of the University of Greenwich Thomas Hinde (University of Greenwich, 1996). Compiled by Julie Tancell as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.
Date(s) of descriptions: August 2002